Bhutan
Tourist
Visa
for Non-US Passport Holders
Required

When you are travelling to
Bhutan
with a Non-US Passport, a
Tourist
Visa
is
required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

Please contact the embassy directly.

Travel Recommendations for
Bhutan

Requirements for US Citizens to Enter/Exit Bhutan

You will need a passport and visa to enter and exit Bhutan.Â All visas are approved from Thimphu and are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the tour operator(See the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators website for further information). All visitors, including those on official U.S. government business, must obtain visa clearance from Thimphu before coming to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 10 days to process and air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry into Bhutan, immigration authorities will stamp a visa into your passport upon payment of USD 20. You will also need to provide two passport photos. Visas are issued for a 15 day period with extensions available in Thimphu at a cost of Nu.510. More information, including a list of authorized tour operators in Bhutan, may be obtained from the Tourism Council of Bhutan, PO Box 126, Thimphu, Bhutan, telephone 975-2-323251, 2-323252, fax 975-2-323695.Â

The Bhutanese Department of Tourism sets a non-negotiable minimum daily tariff for all visitors to Bhutan. The rate includes all accommodations, all meals, transportation, services of licensed guides and porters, and cultural programs where and when available. The rate is the same for both cultural tours and treks. Travelers should contact the Tourism Council for the latest daily tariff.Â

At this time, only two carriers service Bhutan: Drukair, the Bhutanese government airline, and the Nepalese carrier Buddha Air. Entry by air is available only via India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand. The border with China is closed. Airlines will board only travelers with visa clearance from the Tourism Authority of Bhutan. Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Bhutan. There are no disclosure regulations or restrictions for HIV/AIDS patients who enter Bhutan on a tourist visa for a maximum two-week visit. For longer stays, however, applicants must present the results of an HIV/AIDS test completed within the six months prior to their visit. The test can also be administered by Bhutanese officials upon arrival. Travelers should verify this information with the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations before you travel.

For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations (Consul General), 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 682-2268, fax (212) 661-0551. Outside the United States, inquiries should be made at the nearest Bhutan embassy or consulate.

Get a
Business
Visa
for
Bhutan

Bhutan issues Business visas for:

Business Travel

Bhutan
Business
Visa
for US Passport Holders
Required

When you are travelling to
Bhutan
with a U.S. Passport, a
Business
Visa
is
required.

Bhutan
Business
Visa
for Non-US Passport Holders
Required

When you are travelling to
Bhutan
with a Non-US Passport, a
Business
Visa
is
required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

Please contact the embassy directly.

Travel Recommendations for
Bhutan

Requirements for US Citizens to Enter/Exit Bhutan

You will need a passport and visa to enter and exit Bhutan.Â All visas are approved from Thimphu and are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the tour operator(See the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators website for further information). All visitors, including those on official U.S. government business, must obtain visa clearance from Thimphu before coming to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 10 days to process and air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry into Bhutan, immigration authorities will stamp a visa into your passport upon payment of USD 20. You will also need to provide two passport photos. Visas are issued for a 15 day period with extensions available in Thimphu at a cost of Nu.510. More information, including a list of authorized tour operators in Bhutan, may be obtained from the Tourism Council of Bhutan, PO Box 126, Thimphu, Bhutan, telephone 975-2-323251, 2-323252, fax 975-2-323695.Â

The Bhutanese Department of Tourism sets a non-negotiable minimum daily tariff for all visitors to Bhutan. The rate includes all accommodations, all meals, transportation, services of licensed guides and porters, and cultural programs where and when available. The rate is the same for both cultural tours and treks. Travelers should contact the Tourism Council for the latest daily tariff.Â

At this time, only two carriers service Bhutan: Drukair, the Bhutanese government airline, and the Nepalese carrier Buddha Air. Entry by air is available only via India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand. The border with China is closed. Airlines will board only travelers with visa clearance from the Tourism Authority of Bhutan. Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Bhutan. There are no disclosure regulations or restrictions for HIV/AIDS patients who enter Bhutan on a tourist visa for a maximum two-week visit. For longer stays, however, applicants must present the results of an HIV/AIDS test completed within the six months prior to their visit. The test can also be administered by Bhutanese officials upon arrival. Travelers should verify this information with the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations before you travel.

For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations (Consul General), 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 682-2268, fax (212) 661-0551. Outside the United States, inquiries should be made at the nearest Bhutan embassy or consulate.

Get a
Diplomatic
Visa
for
Bhutan

Bhutan issues Diplomatic visas for:

Official and Diplomatic Government Travel

Bhutan
Diplomatic
Visa
for US Passport Holders
Required

When you are travelling to
Bhutan
with a U.S. Passport, a
Diplomatic
Visa
is
required.

Bhutan
Diplomatic
Visa
for Non-US Passport Holders
Required

When you are travelling to
Bhutan
with a Non-US Passport, a
Diplomatic
Visa
is
required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

Please contact the embassy directly.

Travel Recommendations for
Bhutan

Requirements for US Citizens to Enter/Exit Bhutan

Â

You will need a passport and visa to enter and exit Bhutan.Â All visas are approved from Thimphu and are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the tour operator(See the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators website for further information). All visitors, including those on official U.S. government business, must obtain visa clearance from Thimphu before coming to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 10 days to process and air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry into Bhutan, immigration authorities will stamp a visa into your passport upon payment of USD 20. You will also need to provide two passport photos. Visas are issued for a 15 day period with extensions available in Thimphu at a cost of Nu.510. More information, including a list of authorized tour operators in Bhutan, may be obtained from the Tourism Council of Bhutan, PO Box 126, Thimphu, Bhutan, telephone 975-2-323251, 2-323252, fax 975-2-323695.Â

Â

The Bhutanese Department of Tourism sets a non-negotiable minimum daily tariff for all visitors to Bhutan. The rate includes all accommodations, all meals, transportation, services of licensed guides and porters, and cultural programs where and when available. The rate is the same for both cultural tours and treks. Travelers should contact the Tourism Council for the latest daily tariff.Â

Â

At this time, only two carriers service Bhutan: Drukair, the Bhutanese government airline, and the Nepalese carrier Buddha Air. Entry by air is available only via India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand. The border with China is closed. Airlines will board only travelers with visa clearance from the Tourism Authority of Bhutan. Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Bhutan. There are no disclosure regulations or restrictions for HIV/AIDS patients who enter Bhutan on a tourist visa for a maximum two-week visit. For longer stays, however, applicants must present the results of an HIV/AIDS test completed within the six months prior to their visit. The test can also be administered by Bhutanese officials upon arrival. Travelers should verify this information with the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations before you travel.

Â

For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations (Consul General), 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 682-2268, fax (212) 661-0551. Outside the United States, inquiries should be made at the nearest Bhutan embassy or consulate.

Â

Consular Jurisdiction

Passport issued by

Nationality

Passport issued by

Travel Information

Get the most up-to-date information for Bhutan related to Bhutan travel visas, Bhutan visa requirements and applications, embassy and consulate addresses, foreign relations information, travel advisories, entry and exit restrictions, and travel tips from the US State Department's website.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations required.

While no vaccinations may be required to enter the country, you should still check with the CDC on their recommended vaccinations for travel to Bhutan

Other Links

A Brief History of
Bhutan

In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008.

About Us

Travel Document Systems, Inc. (TDS) is a leading visa and passport processing agency. For over 30 years we have served travel professionals, tour operators, and cruise lines, as well as corporate and individual international travelers. TDS specializes in travel that involves visas for more than one country.